Pride for Dhoni as India on top

Tourists gain healthy lead against West Indies in final Test.

ROSEAU:

India captain MS Dhoni led four batsmen with half-centuries that put his side in a formidable position in the third Test against West Indies. Dhoni, a struggler for most of the series, was unbeaten on 65, propelling India to 308 for six, replying to West Indies’ first-innings total of 204 at stumps on the third day of the rain-hit game at Windsor Park.

Left-handed opener Abhinav Mukund supported with 62, VVS Laxman scored 56 and Suresh Raina made 50. The visitors took advantage of a West Indies attack hamstrung by an illness that sidelined fast-bowler Ravi Rampaul to give their strongest batting performance of the series.

Dhoni added 103 for the sixth wicket with Raina either side of tea, taking the fire out a West Indies fightback which saw India reach 182 for five at the break.

The India captain reached his 50 from 96 balls, tapping a delivery from his opposite number Darren Sammy to mid-off for a single that also brought him his 3,000th Test run.

India hold a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series, following a 63-run victory inside four days in the first Test in Jamaica and a draw in the second Test in Barbados. They are hoping to create history by becoming the first Indian side to win a Test and One-Day International series in the Caribbean.





Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2011.